Transportation Department

District Busing Policy

The Independence School District will provide transportation to students living one mile or more from their school of residence. Transportation may be provided for students living less than one mile from school if pay ridership has been arranged and approved through the Transportation Department.

Routes and Stops

Bus stops have been established by the Transportation Department in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Independence School District Policies and Procedures.

Buses in general will only travel along main streets

Buses will not make house stops

Buses will stop at the closest and safest identifiable intersection

Stop distances will be based on grade level and developmental appropriateness

Stops will be placed on corners and/or common ground when possible

Bus stops will not be closer than 500 feet apart

Buses will not enter dead-end/cul-de-sac roads

Students may only ride when they have been issued a bus pass and can only ride the bus they are assigned based on their residence

Middle and high school students must carry their bus pass and school ID

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to escort their children to and from the bus stop. If you feel your child’s bus stop should be changed, please fill out the “Stop Change Request Form”. Please note that stops will not be changed because of requests related to walking distance, visibility of stop from residence or absence of sidewalks. Please include your contact information and understand that responses will take time. We transport more than 10,000 students and want to carefully review each request.

Pay Ridership

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) only reimburses schools for transporting students living farther than one mile away from their school. Students residing within one mile of school may apply to use the districts transportation service through parent pay. The Transportation Department will consider each request to determine if there is available space on the bus and safe access to an existing stop. Additional stops will not be created. A new request form must be submitted and approved each year.

Back to School

Please note that the ISD safely transports more than 10,000 students each day. During the first week of school, students should arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before the published stop time. Run times may vary during the first week of school until all students have registered and adjustments are made due to traffic, construction and final student data. After the first week of school, students should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the stop time.

One-Day Ride Pass

To assist parents and students when an emergency arises, a one-day ride pass may be issued. Please contact your school for assistance.

Kindergarten Students

The district encourages parents to accompany their kindergarten students to and from the bus stop. The ISD does not mandate a parent presence but with new and young riders, parent support is helpful.

Student Conduct and Discipline

Students whose conduct poses a safety hazard, disruption or distraction for the driver will lose their riding privileges and any fees paid will be forfeited. Student discipline is handled through the Transportation Department by the Student Safety Supervisor. Student conduct expectations are as follows:

Follow the bus driver’s directions

Provide full and correct name when requested by the driver

Be at the bus stop five minutes before your assigned stop time

Line up in a single line at the side of the road with no pushing or shoving

Sit on your seat, not on knees or backpacks

Keep the aisle clear

Keep hands feet and other items to yourself on the bus

No food, drinks, gum or candy on the bus

Students are expected to help keep the bus clean and not destroy transportation equipment

Damage resulting from misbehavior shall be paid for by the student

Suspension from the bus will occur and continue until all damage is paid for

Students will show consideration for other students and the bus driver by being courteous and well mannered

No profanity or other abusive language

No physical or verbal bullying

Students are required to board and exit the bus at their assigned stop

The above conduct will result in loss of transportation for 10 days or longer. Students suspended from their regular bus may not ride Independence School District buses including late activity buses until their suspension has been served.

Items Deemed Unsafe for Transportation

Items deemed unsafe or too large to be carried on the student’s lap cannot be transported on the school bus. This can include musical instruments. Please contact your school for additional information.

Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather, it may become necessary for school officials to cancel school or shorten the school day for the safety and welfare of students and staff. You will receive an automated phone call from the district if school is cancelled or impacted by weather. It may be necessary to alter your child’s bus route due to road conditions. If your child is on a route that could be modified due to weather, you will receive a letter from the transportation department prior to the winter season.